Taj Mahal

mausoleum at Agra, India, built c.1640 by Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, from Pers., lit. "the best of buildings;" second element related to Arabic halla "to lodge." But some authorities hold that the name of the mausoleum is a corruption of the name of the woman interred in it, Mumtaz (in Pers., lit. "chosen one") Mahal, who died in 1631. Fig. use as a name denoting anything surpassing or excellent is attested from 1895.